Robinson's routine moment shattered by 'freak' own goal in Zagreb

Jagshemash: Gary Neville's back pass bobbles over Paul Robinson's foot and into the net while comedy character Borat looks on approvingly

This was the moment England's Euro 2008 campaign descended into farce as goalkeeper Paul Robinson missed a simple back pass to concede an own goal.

Robinson's howler left England 2-0 losers to Croatia, a defeat which forced Steve McClaren to concede that his controversial switch to a 3-5-2 system was at the root of their worst performance since they lost to Northern Ireland under Sven Goran Eriksson last September.

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On a disastrous night for English football, goals from Eduardo da Silva and an own goal from Gary Neville, due to Robinson's "freak" air shot, condemned McClaren to his first defeat in five games.

It leaves England second in Group E on the same seven-point haul as leaders Croatia but having played a game more. Israel, on seven points as well, will also move above England if they take at least a point from Croatia next month.

McClaren said: "It was my mistake. We've lost the game so obviously the tactics didn't work. It was my decision to change and I stand by the decision.

"My job is to win football matches and I have to accept that the system was ineffective. You don't create many chances in international football and we knew Croatia would be a difficult place to come.

"I believe we need another system. We had injuries and a suspension to Steven Gerrard, and I wanted as experienced a team as possible to come here.

"I needed characters in the team and I still believe that was the way to go. We played 3-5-2 because we've not been getting the ball forward quickly enough or in the right positions in the final third. I don't think it was a gamble."

England had not lost a qualifier by this margin since Holland beat Graham Taylor's team in Rotterdam 13 years ago.

Croatia, who have never been beaten in a qualifying tie at home, took the lead when Da Silva got on the end of Niko Kovac's cross to steer a looping header beyond Robinson.

It was a miserable night for the England goalkeeper, whose howler led to Croatia's second.

The Tottenham man had kept his side in the game with a string of first-half saves but was embarrassed after taking an air-shot as Gary Neville's back pass bobbled past him.

Robinson said: "It was an absolute freak and there was nothing I could do about it. It was a routine clearance.

"Their keeper had been taking kicks from that spot in the first half and he had left huge divots. I went to kick it and it bobbled.

"Someone said I was close to equalling Gordon Banks' record of seven clean sheets, but I'm just glad it was not the freak goal that cost me. I was pleased with the way I'd played before that incident. We can get back on track and I'm still confident of qualifying. We just never do things the easy way."

McClaren added: "The person I really feel for is Robinson because until that moment he'd been outstanding. He didn't deserve that.

"He is absolutely devastated. I am disappointed we conceded a goal from a cross and then there isn't much I can say about their second."

England weathered an early storm but the system that included John Terry as sweeper and Scott Parker and Michael Carrick in holding roles in the centre of midfield clearly did not function.

McClaren has five months to wait before England play another qualifying game — an away tie against Israel — but he will come under close scrutiny when they travel to Holland for next month's friendly in Amsterdam.

After Saturday's dreadful 0-0 draw with Macedonia, the coach had promised an improved performance but they were well short of the standard required.

McClaren said: "Croatia came at us in the first 15 minutes and after that I thought we controlled parts of the game and created chances.

"I felt we had the players to adapt to the system but I can accept the criticism if it comes my way. I have been involved with the England set-up for five years so I know what comes with the job. I will accept the plaudits when they come my way and I will accept responsibility when things don't go right."